covers and copyright

[3Styler]

if someone does a cover version of a song (a wants to oficially release it), do they need to have some kindof permission/contract with the orignal performer or can someone just do it whenever and wherever?

[Hammer]

They need permission from the copyright holder, not necessarily the original performer. Copyright generally beongs to whoever wrote the song, but can be sold to someone else.

[mcmikeymike]

I don't know the figures, but it depends on the amount of copies to be made for sale.  If it is a low amount, you don't need to get permission but are expected to pay writers / copyright fees.  A big large number of copies would need permission and writers / copyright would need to be paid.